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alisarae's review against another edition
4.0
The metaphysical musings of the characters were certainly well thought out, but I didn't enjoy its constant presence. I did like the themes of acceptance and forgiveness, even though they were sometimes manifested in strange ways (like sex).
beac3's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
2.0
nyky's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Lot of subtext about life in general in this novel. This would have been 5 stars except for 2 things: 1) lackluster ending, which I find is common to the coupler books of Murakami I've read. Everything is great until the ending and then it doesn't wrap up cleanly, thought that may be the point. 2) Weird sex stuff like ghost sex and rape. I don't know what the point of these weird and disturbing scenes are in Murakami's work but I think the book would be way better without.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
lvvers's review against another edition
2.0
I've been trying to finish this book for two years now, and I haven't been able to finish it yet. I had to leave it halfway read because of how painful it was to read. I feel like the book tries to be too philosophical and deep, while adding characters and descriptions that are completely unnecessary.
Long story short, I got bored.
Long story short, I got bored.
northcoraline's review against another edition
5.0
An absolute metaphorical universe that happens to be a page-turner, a true Oedipian masterpiece!
erin1096's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sadhika's review against another edition
1.0
DNF - this book is steaming pile of shit and I can’t believe how much time I’ve wasted trying to trawl through it. My third and final attempt at reading Murakami, I have accepted that his semi interesting plots aren’t enough to make up for his seedy descriptions of women and poorly written, recycled protagonists.
thaleia_'s review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bbrassfield's review against another edition
5.0
My second favorite Murakami novel. Just brilliant from start to finish. If Wind-Up Bird Chronicle wasn't so amazingly brilliant then Kafka would be my favorite. Of course any novel that features a man who talks to cats is tops in my book.